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Content with tag epigenética .

Higher epigenetic diversity could alleviate the loss of genetic diversity

Genetic diversity is generally considered the chief determinant of evolutionary change, but epigenetic diversity is now recognized as another layer of heritable variation with potential adaptive consequences. Epigenetic diversity could sometimes (fragmented populations, stressing habitats) alleviate the loss of genetic diversity and provide an “evolutionary backup” mechanism for wild plants.

Exposure to a competitive social environment activates an epigenetic mechanism that limits pheomelanin synthesis in zebra finches

Competitive environments promote high testosterone levels, oxidative stress and, consequently, impair cellular homeostasis. The regulation of genes involved in the synthesis of the pigment pheomelanin in melanocytes seems to help to maintain homeostasis against environmental oxidative stress. Here, social interactions in some zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata males were experimentally increased by keeping them in groups of six birds during feather growth, while others were kept alone, to test...

08_02_2018, Carlos M.Herrera

Ecología de la variación subindividual en plantas. "Una conferencia sobre ciertas obviedades vegetales de consecuencias nada obvias". Lectura impartida en EAB2017 Joint Meeting BES Gfö Diciembre 2017 con ocasión del Ernst Haeckel Prize concedido al profesor Carlos M. Herrera, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC.